Electric switch



June 19, 1956 p BlsSONNETTE 2,751,470

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 10, 1955 45 INVENTOR.

I PAUBIZ E. BISSONNETTE I JMZQM W312i ATTORNEY 2,751,470 ,7 lsie tsd June 956 Un w State. Patefi o,

ELECTRIC SWITCH Paul E. Bissonnette, Pawtucket, R. 1. Application May 10, 1955, Serial No. 507,225 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-165) This invention relates to an electric switch and more particularly to a positive acting cam operated switch of the push, pull type for use in electrical circuits of relatively high amperage.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a positive acting cam operated switch for relatively high amperage electrical circuits and which reduces the danger of a short circuit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical switch which is simple but durable in construction, easy to manufacture, simple in operation and is adapted for controlling the electrical circuit of an automobile.

Other objects of the present invention will be pointed out in part and become apparent in part in the following specification and claims.

It is ditficult to separate the contacts of an electrical switch through which a high amperage electrical current is flowing. In the past, such switches have been large and heavy in construction. Switches of the push pull type were so constructed as to preclude their use in high amperage circuits. The present invention provides a novel construction in an inclined plane which positively separates the contacts while permitting the use of a very heavy spring to force and hold the contacts in engagernent.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts.

Figure l is a perspective view of the new and improved electric switch.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Figure 1 showing the switch closed.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the switch open.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view.

Referring to the drawings wherein the new and improved electric switch 10 is depicted as consisting of a body 11 fabricated from insulated material and having axially a chamber 12 terminating in a tubular outlet 13. A base 15 fabricated from insulated material is provided with a slot 14 and clearance holes 9 for the bodies of four screws 16.

One of the contacts of switch 10 is formed as a plate 18 having a right angled dependent arm 20 provided with a bolt orifice 21, a bore 23 and bolt clearance holes 24.

An electrical contact in the form of a copper bolt having a shank 30, a head 31 and a threaded portion 32 is slidably mounted through shank in tubular outlet 13 with head 31 located in chamber 12. A coil spring 33 or other resilient means is interposed between head 31 and the base of chamber 12 to force head 31 into contact with plate contact 18.

A push-pull handle is provided having a projection 41 integrally formed therewith. A cam surface 42 is formed in projection 41 with alip 43 located at the end of cam surface 42. A layer of insulating material 44 provided with a bore 45 and clearance holes 46 is interposed between base 15'and plate 18.

A cam follower 50, is slidingly mounted in bores 45 and 23 with one end engaging; cam surface 42 and the other end engaging head 31. Spring 33 acting through head 31 forces cam follower 50into engagement with cam surface 42.

' Three nuts 52, 53 and 54 well known in the art are provided for engagement with threaded portion 32. They are used to lock an electrical conductor such as a cable to shank 30. 0

Base 15, the layerof insulating material 44 and plate 18 are secured to body 11 by means of the four screws 16 engaging threads 17 in body 11.

In operation electric switch 10 will be secured to a ground plate by means of bolt orifice 21. An electrical cable will be secured to shank 30 by means of nuts 52, 53 and 54. If it is desired to permit an electrical current to pass through switch 10, then push-pull handle 40 will be pushed to the position shown in Figure 2 wherein cam follower 50 engages the low section of cam surface 42, thereby permitting head 31 of one electrical contact to engage plate 18 of the other electrical contact.

If however, it is desired to break the electrical circuit in switch 10, push-pull handle 40 is pulled to the position shown in Figure 3 wherein cam follower 50 engages the high section of cam surface 42 thereby forcing head 31 away from plate 18. This action breaks the electrical circuit.

It will be noted that contacts 31 and 18 are rugged. They are not limited in size. They can therefore carry a very high electrical load. The inclined plane cam surface 42 is likewise unlimited in the angle it presents to cam follower 50. A gradual or a rapid separation of contacts 18, 31 can be achieved. Regardless of the affinity of contact 18 for contact 31 due to the electrical load between them, they will be separated by the mechanical inclined plane cam surface 42. Spring 33 can be of any desired strength to force and hold contacts 18, 31 together. Yet inclined plane cam surface 42 will overcome the force of spring 33.

A rugged heavy duty electric switch is provided which is simple in design, operation and maintenance.

It is contemplated that switch 10 will be placed in the circuit of the electrical system of an automobile with switch 10 hidden under the dash board so that unauthorized persons can not start the car if the switch is in open position. Switch 10 will also allow the automobile elec trical circuit to be broken should a short circuit cause the born to blow.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by way of example, but realizing that structural changes can be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention,

What I claim is:

1. An electric switch of the push pull type comprising an insulating body provided axially with a chamber terminating in a tubular outlet, an insulating base provided with a slot, a first electrical contact formed as a plate having a dependent arm and a bore, a second electrical contact formed as a bolt having a shank with a head on one end, said shank and head being slidably mounted in said chamber with said shank passing through said tubular outlet, resilient means forcing said head away from the base of said chamber, said head engaging and disengaging said first electrical contact plate, a projection having a handle formed on one end, a cam surface formed in the projection, said projection being slidably mounted in said slot, a cam follower slidably mounted in said bore r V 3 V with one end engaging said head and the other end, through said resilient means acting upon said'h'ead, engaging said cam surface, said base and plate being fixed to said body,

'said handle positioning saidcam surface to cause said cam follower to control the engaging and discharging of 5 said head with said plate;

' 2. An electric switch of the push pull type comprising an insulated body provided axially with a chamber terminating sin a tubular outlet, an insulated base having a slot; a first electrical'conta ct formed as a plate having a dependent arm and a bore, a second electrical contact formed as a bolt having a shank with a head on one end,

I said head being slidably mounted. in said chamber with said shank slidably projecting through and beyond said,

tubular outlet toprovide an attaching portion, spring means in said'charnber urging said head away from said tubular outlet to force engagementof'said head and second electrical contact with said plate and first electrical contact, an attaching portion being formed in said dependent arm, a projection having a handle on one end and a camsurface in the body portion which is slidably mounted in said slot, a cam follower slidably mounted 1 in said bore with one end engaging said head and the other end engaging said cam surface, a layer of insulating material provided with a bore surrounding said cam fol- 7 lower and placed between said base and said plate and means to secure'said base, said layer of'insulating rna- References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,496,092 Hinds ,Jan. 31, 1950 

